The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1887-03-20

n,
prisoner, when he demands a tria
must be tried or released inside o
twelve hours. In order to hold him
therefore the San Pablo authorities hae
to make to most of my evidence.
The alibi business worried the ole
alcalde not little. The three witnesses
who swore to meeting Francisco on The
afternoon before were reputable m. n
On the other hand, 1 was a stranger
and an American. Several times dur
ing the day l was recalled to the stanC
and examined and cross -examined. The
utmost courtesy characterized the
examination, but it had latitude thai
would not have been permitted in ar
American court. frequently a specta-
tor would interrupt with question OIL
make suggestion TO the alcalde. Once
Francisco remarked that he was tired
and would take it as favor if the court
would hurry up
Toward the close of the day I saw a
man on the outskirts of the spectators
whose face and manner attracted my
attention. He was the very image of
Francisco, the prisoner.
changed my position so as to get a
better view. The esemblance was
wonderfully striking. The man was
| just Francisco's age, height, size and
| complexion. His sombrero shaded his
right temple and prevented me from
seeing whether it bore the peculiar
scar which dis6gured the robber. His
| costume was the same as Francisco's
but as nearly everybody wore home
spun of the same color and pattern, this
did not excite my surprise.
IF he has the scar" [ muttered, "he
could pass anywhere for Francisco. 1t
would be impossible to tell them apart.
Naturally, began to understand the
abb. The men who swore that they
saw the hishwayman 20 miles away
from the scene of his crime at the very
moment he was tying my hands might
honestly be mistaken. They had seen
this mysterious stranger. But they
had sworn to the scar. Could it be
possible that the strangers face bore
such a mark?
determined to edge my way to him
in the crowd and accidentally knock off
his sombrero in order to look for the
fiery crescent.
When Preached that side of the build
ing the man was gone. l made every
effort to find him, but finally gave it up.
He had either left the room, or had
shifted his position, keeping other per-
sons between US SO as to screen him from
my view.
As it was growing dark, four tallow
candles were lighted, but the gloomy
stone walls maze the room look almost |
as dark as ever. / was wondering what |
would be the outcome OF the case, when |
the lights were suddenly blown out
Keep in your piaces!" shouted an
alguazl. Order in the palace of JUS
ticei" -es.i nov ore ns
The candles were relighted, and then
was beheld such a scene as has rarely
ever been witnesse in a court room or
anywhere else. In front of the alcalde's
bench stood two scar-faced men as
much alike as two brown peas.
"Merciful saintsl" calculated an
alguszil. do see double, or are there
two Franciscos?"
1t is the work of the devil" sug-
sested pious old man, as he crossed
himself. 80 81 y 80.
Ny friend, the old aIcalde, put on his
and looked sharply at the two
men.
Francisco" he called.
4. Each of the two men gave jerk of his
head and answered to the name.
: LET the American senior take the
stand" ordered the alcalde
In response to the questions put to me
admitted that I could not point out
he real Francisco coz - II
Three witnesses called to establish the
lllbl were recalled. They shared nv
,ewiiderment, and could throw no light
lpon the case. 7f
The alcalde scratched his head. Then
le touched one of the doubles with his
zane, .r.gH
You. now" he said, "what Is your
lame?"
Francisco" was the pat reply.
Your residence and occupation"
have none. am travelling about"
Then alcalde turned TO the other man.
What is your name?''
Francisco"
Your residence and occupation
II have none. | am travelling about"
The sane answers, delivered in the
cry voice and manner of the first
Iouble.
2 Seeing the alcalde's ernbarrassm ent
rent to hinsand suggested that he i'm
rison both men until the matter could
e looke1 into.
II cannot do it," he said, lone is
innocent. &, If imprison him l shall
)se my place. Besides, the twelve
ours will soon expire, and without
satisfactory evidence / must turn Doth
BOSE" -,nf
1 limited that it was all a put up lob.
hat Francisco probably had a twin
rother who had arranged it to have
ne lights blown out, and had then in
ne darkness made his way to the
risoner's side, thus confusing matters
18th the intent of evading justice. III
lit matters not" said the alcade.
Two men cannot be arrested tried and
lprlsoned on a warrant against one nor
an a warrant be issued against two,
hen 1t is known that only one is guilty.
%, senior, 1t is a hardship, doubtless.
ut Ut is better to disappoint justice than
} do injustice
Then raising his head he said:
The prisoners are discharged"
Silently the crowd divided, leaving a
road pathway.
Down the aisle walked the two Fran
scoes. Each wore the same scornful
nile: Each gave the same wicked look
ut of his black eyes. Each made the 4
lme bow to the court, and when thew
assed me noticed that the red scars
each man temple were both of the
me size and of the same flaming color,
at of the arched doorway of the
llace of justice, out il to the darkness,
n he